Thin-Walled Casing Welding Device with Membrane Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices are ineffective in achieving precise centering and minimizing deformations during the welding of thin-walled casings, leading to suboptimal weld quality and increased residual stresses due to biaxial stress states and asymmetric heating.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring two cylindrical positioning receivers with a deformable, membrane-type heat exchanger made of refractory material, allowing for axial displacement and heat dissipation to prevent deformation, combined with a movable stop bushing and spring washers for precise alignment and heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional welding devices are used for thin-walled casings, then welding can be performed, but precise centering cannot be achieved and deformations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering precisionVSAvoiddeformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning receivers are designed to be axially displaceable on the alignment base, allowing dynamic adjustment during welding. This dynamic positioning capability enables precise centering of thin-walled casings while accommodating thermal expansion and deformation during the welding process, thereby improving manufacturing precision without increasing deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane-type heat exchanger uses a flexible membrane structure that can deform to accommodate the thin-walled casing shape. This flexible design allows the heat exchanger to conform precisely to the casing surface, improving thermal contact and centering precision while avoiding rigid constraints that would cause deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stress or pressure

If heat dissipation zones are not optimized, then welding can proceed, but bulging occurs and residual stresses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual stressVSAvoidbulging
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger is designed with locally optimized heat dissipation zones through its membrane structure and fin configuration. Different regions of the membrane can provide different levels of heat dissipation, allowing precise control of thermal gradients in the welding zone. This local quality control prevents excessive bulging and reduces residual stresses by managing heat flow where it is most critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane-type heat exchanger allows for optimization of heat dissipation parameters such as thermal conductivity, surface area, and contact pressure. By adjusting these parameters, the heat flow during welding can be controlled to minimize thermal distortion and residual stress while preventing bulging of thin-walled casings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If rigid heat exchangers are used, then heat dissipation is effective, but adaptation to thin-walled casings is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcasings adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane-type heat exchanger replaces rigid structures with flexible membrane elements that can adapt to the specific geometry of thin-walled casings. The membrane structure maintains effective heat dissipation while conforming to the casing surface, achieving both high heat dissipation efficiency and excellent adaptability to different casing shapes and sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt its configuration to match the casing geometry. This dynamic adaptability ensures optimal thermal contact and heat dissipation efficiency across different thin-walled casing designs without requiring rigid, geometry-specific fixtures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If complex positioning devices are used, then centering accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane-type heat exchanger serves dual functions: it provides thermal management and acts as a positioning element. The flexible membrane naturally conforms to the casing, providing alignment and centering without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning receivers serve multiple functions: they provide axial displacement capability for dynamic positioning, support the membrane heat exchanger, and facilitate centering of casings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex positioning devices while maintaining high alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances weld quality by reducing micro-defects and simplifying assembly, while minimizing deformations and residual stresses, enabling high-quality fusion welding of thin-walled casings.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable, annular, membrane-type heat exchanger formed by a set of mutually separated laminae of refractory material, the lower end of which is arranged for thermal contact with the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

membrane-type heat exchanger formed by a set of mutually separated laminae of refractory material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2328715B1Device for welding end faces of thin walled casing
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 ARMOTECH S R O
  • EP2328715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for welding the end faces of thin-walled jackets (12) on a welding plane, said device comprising two cylindrical positioning receiving units (1), which centre the jackets (12) to be welded in relation to their outer diameters, both receiving units (1) being located on an alignment base flush with one another and being axially displaceable. A deformable, annular, membrane-type heat exchanger is situated on the exterior of each receiving unit (1), said heat exchanger being formed from a set of sheets (2) consisting of heat-resistant material that are separated from one another. The lower end of the sheets is designed to be in thermal contact with the jacket (12).